A West Mamprusi-based non-governmental organisation (NGO), Peace For Life Ghana, has organised an inter-ethnic dialogue to promote peace and development in northern Ghana.
The forum, which was held in Walewale, sought to promote peaceful coexistence among ethnic and religious groups in the municipality. It had representatives from the Mamprusi, Dagomba, Gurunsi, Kusasi, Fulani, Zanbarima, Kantonsi and Bissa ethnic groups.
The NGO’s thematic areas of operation include livelihood empowerment, peace and security, water and sanitation.
The Security in Northern Ghana project is being implemented in selected districts in the Northern and North East Regions. The beneficiary districts/munipalities include Chereponi, Bimbila, Gusheigu, Karaga, and West Mamprusi. The funding for this project is from Star Ghana Foundation.
Peace For Life Ghana also receives funding for other projects from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
In an interview with Asaase News, the executive director for the organisation, Mutawakil Alhassan, said the main aim of the organisation is to promote peace and development in Northern Ghana through dialogue forums.
He said “we started with community sensitization. We have also formed a religious dialogue committee and we’ve given them capacity building in conflict management.
“And today, what we are having here is an inter-ethnic dialogue forum. We’ve invited people from different ethnic groups just to understand each other’s culture, appreciate each other’s culture and appreciate each other’s values so that we can co-exist peacefully and there can be development in the community.”
He stated armed robbery attack on residents is of concern and has a dire effect on economic activities.
Alhassan said “a lot of them [the residents] have expressed issues of insecurity. Armed robbers attacking market women and mobile money vendors is a concern and it has a dire impact on our economic empowerment.
“We are going to incorporate suggestions and contributions into our action plans. We will organize a review dialogue forum.”
The executive director has called for support from the government, stakeholders, traditional authorities, the youth and opinion leaders in Northern Ghana to make the program a success.
Reporting by Dokurugu Alhassan in the North East Region
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